Welcome to Trouble Free Pool

We would like to welcome you to TFP, the webs leading Pool related website. We invite you to please Register to create a new account. Doing this will give you full access to the forums, where you will be able to receive personalized advice concerning your pool. We hope to see you soon!

Backwash DE filter prior to closing?

I am having my pool closed for the first time on Friday. The ladies at the pool store have advised me to have the water lowered to 4" below returns prior to my appointment. I have read that a DE filter should be backwashed prior to closing, yet when i am asked them they said no.

So what is correct? Is the pool guy going to show up and want to backwash my filter after i have already lowered level, thereby causing the level to be lowered more?

Re: Backwash DE filter prior to closing?

I think the standard is 10:1 for a few hour soak, I use closer to 25:1 (water: acid ) because I soak them for 10 - 16 hours at a time and don't want the acid to attack the metal nuts and bolts and washers that hold them together

PLEASE also remember to do the degreasing soak PRIOR to acid washing them!!!

Luv& Luk
-Ted

Having done construction and service for 4 pool companies in 4 states starting in 1988, what I know about pools could fill a couple of books - what I don't know could fill a couple of libraries :-D

Re: Backwash DE filter prior to closing?

Before! you put the grids/ fingers - filter elements into an acid solution, degrease them in a solution of either electric dishwasher powder or TSP (Tri - Sodium- Phosphate). 1 cup of either per 10 gal. water should be enough. Allow a few hours to soak, agitating the mix certainly wouldn't hurt , rinse them and then put them in the acid mix.

Unless you have calcium in the water, many pools do, you probably won't even need the acid wash {Chem 201 moment (not that I'm qualified ) - acid coagulates oils on the membranes, causing worse clogging than you started with and acid only attacks metals, like calcium, that are congesting the membrane }

The thing to look for before doing a chem soak, is how well the membrane is letting the water flow out of it, after you've rinsed them with the hose (if they still hold water for ~ 30 seconds, it's time to soak them).

I hope this clarifies what I didn't say in the earlier post

Luv& Luk
-Ted

Having done construction and service for 4 pool companies in 4 states starting in 1988, what I know about pools could fill a couple of books - what I don't know could fill a couple of libraries :-D